India's $680 million package reflects stronger ties under PM Modi's leadership: Mauritius Foreign Minister
New Delhi, July 24
India's special economic package of nearly $680 million for Mauritius reflects the deepening strategic and economic partnership between the two countries, Mauritius' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Dhananjay Ramful, said on Friday.
In an interview with IANS, Ramful said the package, comprising grants and concessional lines of credit, underscores the importance India attaches to Mauritius under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
"More recently, during our Prime Minister's visit to India, the Indian government announced a special economic package worth approximately $680 million, comprising grants and concessional lines of credit. This reflects the importance India attaches to Mauritius under PM Modi's leadership," he said.
The minister said the India-Mauritius partnership has evolved into a comprehensive relationship spanning infrastructure, capacity building, education, technology, healthcare and several other sectors, with many landmark projects in Mauritius funded through Indian grants and concessional financing.
Highlighting the economic dimension of bilateral ties, Ramful said the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) has significantly strengthened trade and investment between the two countries.
"Bilateral trade has reached approximately $887 million in recent years and continues to show a strong upward trajectory. Capital flows between the two countries have also increased significantly, and today Mauritius is the second-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India," he told IANS.
According to the minister, India and Mauritius are working on several new projects following Prime Minister Modi's visit to Mauritius in 2025, when the two sides agreed to elevate their partnership.
"As multinational cooperation continues to expand, we are working on several joint projects that will further strengthen our strategic and economic cooperation," Ramful said.
He also described the India-Mauritius relationship as a model for the Global South, saying cooperation in maritime security, healthcare, technology, land transport and port infrastructure demonstrates how developing countries can work together for mutual growth.
"The India-Mauritius partnership is not merely a bilateral success story; it can also serve as a blueprint for the collective future of the Global South," he said.
On maritime cooperation, Ramful said both countries continue to deepen collaboration to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean through initiatives such as MAHASAGAR, information-sharing mechanisms and regular joint naval exercises.
"Mauritius and India have a shared interest in ensuring that the Indian Ocean remains safe, secure and governed by international law," he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
$680 million is a significant amount - hope it actually reaches the people of Mauritius and isn't just political grandstanding. Also, we need to ensure our own infrastructure projects don't suffer while we fund others. But yes, the strategic importance of Mauritius can't be ignored.
This is exactly what India needs to do more of - building bridges in our extended neighbourhood. The CECPA trade agreement seems to be working well with $887 million in bilateral trade. 👏 Kudos to the diplomatic team for strengthening these ties!
As someone who works in international development, this is a textbook example of soft power done right. The maritime security cooperation under MAHASAGAR is particularly important given China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean. Smart move by India.
Happy to see India taking leadership in the Global South! Mauritius shares our democratic values and this partnership benefits both countries. The fact that Mauritius is the second-largest FDI source into India shows it's a mutually beneficial relationship. 🎉
While I appreciate the diplomatic success, we must question whether such large packages are sustainable. India has internal challenges too - poverty, healthcare, education. But yes, the strategic importance of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean cannot be understated.
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